Suicide statistics rank the highest with members of the elderly population. Many contributing factors lend themselves to such a spike in suicidal tendency. As an individual ages, the chances of mental or physical impairment increase. An individual who has become severly handicapped by a worsening state of health is likely to become depressed and can potentially reach a point where he/she views suicide as an out. Even up till today, very little has been published regarding suicide and suicide prevention in elderly nursing facilities. However, a study was performed and released back in 2000 that was featured in The Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. A populate based, retrospective cohort study was performed in order to ascertain the clinical features of nursing home residents that were likely to commit suicide. The goal of the study was to learn how to identify behavioral patterns that would indicate suicidal ideation in an elderly resident. The study identified that the most likely avenue for suicide in a nursing home is via overdosing of prescribed medication (painkillers, etc.). The study also concluded that suicide risk in nursing homes is likely under-reported and under accessed. It is important to note that method of suicide also differs based on what is available to the resident. For example, a wheel chair bound resident will not have the same access to sharp objects that a mobilized resident has.
Works Cited
Evans, JM, Menghini, VV. "Suicide Among Nursing Home Residents: A Population-Based Study." The Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. Mar-Apr. 2000: 47-50. Print.
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